The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash, will be held with full state honours on Thursday in his hometown of Baramati in Pune district, Nationalist Congress Party sources said. The funeral will take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground from 11 am, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend, along with leaders from across the political spectrum.
Pawar, 66, died in the crash on Wednesday when the Learjet 45XR aircraft he was travelling in struck difficulties while landing near Baramati Airport shortly after taking off from Mumbai. Four others onboard — his personal security officer, an attendant and two crew members — were also killed in the accident.
The state government has declared a three-day period of mourning and announced a public holiday for Wednesday as the region and political circles express deep grief over Pawar’s sudden death. Widely respected across party lines, Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay.
